Choosing what to do or where to go for New Years Eve has always been a difficult decision. Whether you prefer a night in front of the telly or a no-expense-spared meal at a fancy restaurant, making plans for New Years is something which many of us find a chore. For something totally different, why not take the stress out of deciding what to do by getting away on a luxury ski holiday instead? It’s well known that the New Year week is one of the best weeks of the skiing calendar, with impressive fireworks displays, live music and plenty of bars and clubs offering entertainment until the early hours.
The vast majority of resorts aren’t as busy at New Years as they are during February half term, or as expensive as at Christmas, and you can enjoy from some fantastic events and non-ski activities in resort too. Skiing is the perfect solution for those looking for a fantastic New Year holiday, and what better way to see in 2022 than to watch epic fireworks over the mountains or to wake up to fresh snow on the slopes? With this in mind, we’ve put together our list of the top 10 luxury ski resorts for New Years which will inspire you to book that special getaway and say goodbye to 2021 in style.
Choosing the right luxury ski resort for New Years Eve
There are so many luxury ski resorts to choose from in Europe and beyond that planning a ski holiday can be a little overwhelming; but here at Oxford Ski Company, that’s where we come in. Our team of experts know the resorts we feature inside out and can tailor your luxury ski holiday to your needs. When deciding which luxury ski resort will be best suited for your New Year escape, you’ll want to consider what special events are taking place in each resort.
A New Year trip is as much about the non-ski activities as it is about the skiing, and with many resorts putting on fireworks displays, midnight countdowns and live music, New Years in the Alps is a magical experience. At Oxford Ski Company we have been booking the best New Years Eve ski resorts for over 20 years and we work with the highest standard of luxury chalets, apartments and hotels in each area. In this blog post we’ve put together our pick of the best luxury ski resorts for New Years Eve and have chosen some fantastic accommodation options to boot.
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Cortina
If you prefer to see in the new year from a traditional Italian village as opposed to a purpose-built party resort, Cortina makes a perfect base for your winter escape. The main square, Corsa Italia, is the place to be when the clock strikes midnight as you’ll be treated to a fabulous fireworks display against the backdrop of the stunning Dolomite mountains. Book your stay at Cristallo Hotel, a grand, historic property which was once visited by Frank Sinatra. Its elevated position offers incredible views of the Dolomites, and there are four restaurants and a lounge bar with large terrace which offers fantastic Apres-ski.
- St Anton
Over in Austria, New Year at St Anton is a great choice for party lovers and is one of the best luxury ski resorts in Austria for New Years. Gather on the main street to see fireworks illuminate the sky, before heading back to the bars to enjoy DJ sets and live music until the early hours. St Anton is famous for one of its lively Apres bars, Mooserwirt, which is said to serve more beer per square metre than any other bar in Austria! After a heavy night, the luxurious Villa Villekula is the perfect place to come home to. Just a short walk away from the Zimmermoos piste, this luxury ski chalet sleeps up to 10 adults and two children and features a balcony and terrace with 2 outdoor hot baths and a sauna.
- Chamonix
The French resort of Chamonix is always a good choice for an Alpine escape and is one of the best luxury ski resorts for New Years Eve. The traditional Chamonix experience will see you starting with a bar crawl on the slopes before ending up on the main streets in the town centre, with a drink in hand, to countdown the seconds until the fireworks start at midnight. One of our favourite luxury ski chalets, Chalet Baloo sleeps up to 12 guests and is complete with a cinema room, gym, terrace and garden, as well as an indoor plunge pool, sauna, Hammam and outdoor hot tub.
- Alpe d’Huez
One of France’s most snow sure resorts, Alpe d’Huez offers something a little different over the New Year period. Partygoers often celebrate in fancy dress in some of the many bars and clubs, with Underground Bar staying open until 9am on New Year’s Day for those who just don’t want to stop dancing! Plus, there’s a torch-lit descent and fireworks display to enjoy too. Hotel Daria-I-Nor is an excellent choice if you’re looking to be close to the slopes. Its ski-in/ski-out location is second to none, whilst the Black Diamond Spa is over 800 sqm in size and features a fitness room, salt wall, ice fountains, experience showers, saunas and two pools.
- Lech
One of the best luxury ski resorts in Austria for New Years, Lech is popular with celebrities and royals alike. Famed for its musical fireworks displays in Rüfiplatz, with previous themes including ABBA and James Bond, there’s also a spectacular New Year concert to enjoy during your stay. If you’re looking for something different, an apartment is a great choice compared to a chalet or hotel. We love Brunnenhof 3, a stylish three-bedroom apartment located in the prestigious Brunnenhof Residence. Sleeping up to six guests, the apartment is just a six-minute walk from the nearest chairlift and only 10 minutes from the centre of Lech itself, and has access to shared pool and spa facilities.
- Meribel
Meribel is one of the best New Years Eve ski resorts and is perfect for families and groups of friends. Festivities begin with an open-air disco as the Chaudanne area turns into a nightclub/dance floor on the piste, whilst the epic firework display at midnight is a must-see. Afterwards, head to one of Meribel’s many bars and clubs, with table-top dancing and champagne showers, to continue partying into the early hours. For a spectacular place to stay, Chalet Le Grenier is laid out over two floors and has six bedrooms sleeping up to 12 guests. With first class facilities including a gym, sauna, wine cellar and vast terrace with views over the valley, this luxury ski chalet is perfect for those looking to make their stay in the Alps extra special.
- Zermatt
The stunning mountain resort of Zermatt is as popular with non-skiers as it is with those who love spending time on the slopes. The iconic Matterhorn provides the perfect backdrop for a New Year party, and it is tradition in resort to gather by the church with a drink in hand whilst you countdown to midnight. Although there are no fireworks put on by the resort itself, many of the hotels do their own displays instead, but we think a luxury apartment makes a great choice for a winter escape to Zermatt. Try Christiana Apartment 3, a beautiful three bedroom property sleeping up to six guests, just a short walk from the town centre and the nearest ski lift, giving access to the vast Zermatt ski area.
- Courchevel 1850
Up there as being one of the best luxury ski resorts in France for New Years Eve, Courchevel 1850 is unlike anywhere else in the world. With a host of lively Apres bars offering fun-filled New Year programmes, the Courchevel tourism board does a brilliant job of organising events and parties that will keep you on your feet all night long. Enjoy concerts, fireworks and DJ sets or head up in the lift to La Folie Douce to enjoy a spectacular dinner show and apres-ski party into the early hours. The beautiful Grandes Alpes Hotel is one of our favourite places to stay in Courchevel 1850 and boasts an enviable location with ski-in/ski-out access. There’s also a spa with swimming pool, fitness room and hair salon as well as restaurant and lounge bar with open terrace overlooking the slopes.
- Verbier
New Years Eve in Verbier is certainly an experience to remember. A party-lover’s paradise, Verbier plays host to a legendary new year’s celebration by throwing one of the best street parties in Europe. Half an hour before midnight, follow the crowds and make your way towards Place Centrale, where you can enjoy a live DJ and dance music set high above Farinet Apres. Pre-booking a table in a club after midnight is essential; you can dance until the small hours but be prepared to pay extortionate prices for a ticket! Choose Chalet Calima as your base and you will have an unforgettable holiday to Verbier. This luxury ski chalet is spread across four floors and sleeps up to eight guests comfortably. Stand out features include an indoor swimming pool, cinema room, outdoor hot tub and south facing terrace with breath taking mountain views.
- Val d’Isere
Voted top of our list of luxury ski resorts for New Years, Val d’Isere is a place that never disappoints. It is THE place to be when the clock strikes 12 and is the best luxury ski resort in France for New Year’s Eve. Previous celebrations have seen the centre of the village transformed into a pedestrianised zone as crowds gather on the main street to watch spectacular fireworks displays and colourful light shows whilst enjoying DJ sets and live music too. Located at the top of a secluded road, Chalet Inoko offers sumptuous accommodation for up to 12 adults and two children. The five-metre-high cathedral ceiling in the living area makes the chalet feel even larger than it already is, and you can make the most of its fantastic facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, outdoor hot tub, massage room and terrace with fire pit.
